Growing in faith. Managing depression. Some great DIY's.

When was the last time you felt a “sense of awe?

No, I’m not talking about a beautiful sunset or a beautiful landscape. Most people would say “wow” to that.

It’s not miracles. Again, “wow” would be expected.

I’m talking about the last time you saw God working. There’s no fanfare. You didn’t expect it. There’s nothing obvious and yet you exclaimed “Wow”! That’s the kind of “wow factor” that the apostle Luke is referring to here.

The first Christians were in awe when they saw what was happening around them, as they saw the love and communal giving among those first believers.

I have been blessed this week in that I’ve experienced that “wow”.

I mentioned yesterday my mother-in-law is under Hospice Care and has very little time left. I also mentioned how I’ve watched how one of the female members has made her peace with certain people and certain circumstances. I also mentioned that because it wasn’t my circus, I was able to step back and observe.

Today I watched as my mother-in-law’s grandsons and her teen-age great-grandsons stepped up to the plate in ways one does not expect men to do. My mother-in-law lives(d) with her daughter, and let me just understate that the home desperately needed a “thorough” cleaning. (There’s some hoarding involved.) My mother-in-law and her daughter raised these three grandsons of a different ethnic background and never thought anything of it. They are successful men now having risen through the ranks of McDonald’s to positions of prominence. They felt this was their way to give back all these two women had done for them.

Anyway, they knew that my sister-in-law would be going back to that house and she is unable to clean as she is somewhat disabled. They completely stripped beds, washed curtains and windows, arranged to have carpets cleaned, took her dog to the groomers, and much more. I should add my mother-in-law had been vomiting for hours so there was that.

But I’ve also seen the respect and love they have shown their mother and their aunt. My mother-in-law would have been so proud to see that all her hard work had produced such fine young men.

I mean, seriously. Isn’t that great? I was so touched.

But there was another “wow factor” for me. Remember, the female member I mentioned yesterday? She and I have never been more than formally friendly when we’ve had to be. But that has changed. I’ve listened to her and while I don’t know what the future will hold for us, I can say I like her. I liked what I saw in her.

To tell you the truth, I don’t even know why we haven’t connected with my husband’s side of the family. Of course, I don’t know all the family dynamics. I know it was dysfunctional and chaotic, much like mine. But there’s was a much larger family so naturally there were a lot more issues.

I was glad to get reacquainted with my nephews whom I’ve always liked. Plus, I got to meet their children and was impressed how well-mannered they were. I liked them as well.

And then I got a little sad. Why do families allow themselves to drift apart? I mean I guess I do know why. Things happen. Words are said. Complications arise. And I don’t mean to suggest that reconciliation is always within our control because it isn’t always. We can’t be reconciled with someone who isn’t interested.

But what we can do is look for opportunities to improve those relationships and maybe even reconcile. I hope I get the chance. I hope you get the chance.

Families are well, families. Even the best of them are complicated. Even the closest of them have “issues”. But the people in your family will always be those you have the most history with. That fact alone deserves a second look, another attempt.

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Hi. Glad you stopped by for a visit. I blog about mental health issues, faith and spirituality, and DIY projects. Sometimes I just blog about whatever appeals to me.
Hope you enjoy your time here. God bless.